Bob's Last Marathon

Kristopher Hong, music therapist, talks about how he uses music as a tool to facilitate therapeutic processes. Music can benefit people of all ages with a range of physical and mental capabilities. But it’s especially helpful to those with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other neurological conditions.

Lena reflects on the importance of maintaining a social life as Alzheimer’s symptoms progress, and offers practical ways she discovered to navigate the challenges.

Alexandra Morris, a gerontologist and Geriatric Care Manager with 30 years’ experience helping families to cope with dementia and aging in many settings, offers practical advice for having productive conversations with people who suffer from dementia.

Judith Johanson, a member of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, and wife of Steve, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, shares the heartbreaking experience of coping with behavioral changes symptomatic of disease progression, and how recognizing that these changes were symptoms of his illness helped her navigate through trying times.

Dr. Steven E. Arnold, Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, and Translational Neurology Head and Managing Director of the Interdisciplinary Brain Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, talks about his process for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Steven E. Arnold, Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, and Translational Neurology Head and Managing Director of the Interdisciplinary Brain Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, speaks about lifestyle practices he recommends for Alzheimer’s patients at the time of diagnosis. These recommendations can also benefit the health and well-being of family members by reducing the ris...

Dr. Steven E. Arnold, Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, and Translational Neurology Head and Managing Director of the Interdisciplinary Brain Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, speaks on the current state of treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

Lena remembers the moment when it became clear that Bob would benefit from a day care program, and shares the factors that led to their choice.

Lorri Bernstein, MSW, Founder of Senior Living Specialists of Philadelphia and Chicago, tells us about steps to consider in moving our loved ones from home to a care community.

Katie Brandt, Director of Caregiver Support Services and Public Relations for the Massachusetts General Hospital Frontotemporal Disorders Unit, shares the emotional challenges of navigating care for both her father and her husband.

Judith Johanson, MADRC Longitudinal Cohort Coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital, describes her experience with her husband Steve, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's, in two types of clinical trials. She talked about how Steve wanted to contribute to research far beyond his time on earth.

Rachel Wiley, Occupational Therapist, explains how dementia-related behaviors can be better understood by considering the person with dementia, the caregiver, and the environment in a given situation, and how this analysis can point to mitigation strategies.

Jennifer Fargo Lathrop, Spiritual Care Provider from the outpatient palliative care program of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, describes palliative and hospice care, and her role as a spiritual care provider for people with dementia.

Alexandra Morris, gerontologist and Geriatric Care Manager, offers practical and compassionate strategies for coping with a common issue challenging Alzheimer’s caregivers: repetitive behavior.

Lena talks about the importance of daily structure, and outlines the routines she devised to give Bob the care he needed, and give them both a sense of stability in the face of this unpredictable disease.

Lena talks about key roles of the caregiver team, people she came to consider family, that she gathered over time to help care for Bob as his disease progressed.

Dr. Dawn Mechanic-Hamilton, Director of Cognitive Fitness Programs and Neuropsychological Services at the Penn Memory Center, describes the concept of cognitive fitness and some key tools used to support brain health in people with mild cognitive impairment.

Lena recalls slivers of light when the Bob she knew and loved surfaced through his dementia, and contemplates the importance of savoring and nurturing our loved one’s essence.

Lena reflects on the role of family in the care of a loved one with dementia, and how their true value goes deeper than the day-to-day chores.

Alexandra Morris, gerontologist and Geriatric Care Manager, talks about how connecting with your loved one’s emotional truths, sometimes over the facts, can be a kind and compassionate way of managing daily life challenges.

Lena talks about some of the common issues that come up from well-meaning friends, and ways to handle them.

Lena recalls the moment she realized that taking care of herself was essential to caring well for Bob, and how she learned that giving our very best to our loved ones doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort and pleasure.

This episode features Katie Brandt, Director of Caregiver Support Services and Public Relations for the Massachusetts General Hospital Frontotemporal Disorders Unit. Katie’s late husband, Mike, was diagnosed with FTD at the age of 29. Katie tells us about a heartbreaking decision she had to make, and the isolation, uncertainties, and rewards of being a caregiver for both her husband and their youn...

Lena talks about denial—an insidious and potentially dangerous problem that many Alzheimer’s caregivers face.

Lena recalls how her life as a caregiver did a 180 when she met Dr. Steven E. Arnold, a leading Alzheimer’s expert, now at Massachusetts General Hospital—and discovered the five key elements of caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease.